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Henning Jensen, Udo Kier, Baard Owe, Solbjørg Højfeldt, Kirsten Olesen ... see more see more... , Ludmilla Glinska , Preben Leidorff Rve , Vera Gebuhr

Shooting entirely on analog video, Lars von Trier directs the made-for-Danish-TV version of the ancient Greek tragedy Medea by Euripides. The screenplay is based on a 1960s adaptation written by maste... read more read more...r Danish filmmaker Carl Theodor Dreyer that was never produced during his lifetime. The mythological story follows after the tale of Jason and the Argonauts, with Jason (Udo Kier) having successfully returned with the Golden Fleece and ready to marry the young Glauce (Ludmilla Glinska), daughter of King Kreon (Henning Jensen). In doing so, Jason abandons his long-suffering wife, Medea (Kirsten Olesen), who is also the mother of his two children. When the King exiles Medea, she plots a vicious plan of revenge that involves poison, hanging, and misery for all. Produced in 1987, Medea received an extremely limited theatrical release in the U.S. in April of 2003. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

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75% liked it

1,664 ratings

Critics

86% liked it

14 critics

Unrated, 1 hr. 16 min.

Directed by: Lars von Trier

Release Date: January 1, 1987

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DVD Release Date: May 20, 2003

Stats: 70 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (70)

  • ythelastman89
    November 18, 2009
    ythelastman89
    Lars Von Trier has an amazing style and he made me enjoy a story that I am not to fond of. He made the story of Medea realistic and bleak, which was a nice contrast to the fantastical nature of the source material. The style is unlike any other. The acting was pretty decent and y... read moreou could really get into the characters. Definitely a visual film though, Von Trier has a great eye for translating word into imagery.
  • ToniRabbitPOWER
    December 25, 2008
    ToniRabbitPOWER
    The sound of the ocean during this film is enough to make me a fan. Haunting and constant, it spoke more to me than most of the dialog. I am in love with this dark version of the play Medea. The acting is wonderful, the scenery is beautiful, and the story is so mysterious and dar... read morek I am unable to resist. Captivates me every time.
  • murphologist1
    March 20, 2008
    murphologist1
    It has the atmosphere of a surreal fever dream. An obscure and completely astounding film from Lars Von Trier.

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
July 12, 2004
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

The moment you can forget about Dreyer--or at least reduce his contribution to some parts of the dialogue-- Medea becomes an exhilarating visual feast. Full Review

Wesley Morris
September 5, 2003
Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

Works on von Trier's own imagistic terms. Full Review

Dave Kehr
April 17, 2003
Dave Kehr, New York Times

No admirer of Mr. von Trier's work should miss this compelling rarity. Full Review

Michael Atkinson
April 15, 2003
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

It's difficult to imagine the Euripides original ever being more eloquently adapted. Full Review

Christopher Null
January 27, 2004
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com

The cryptic tale is an exercise in long takes and roundabout dialogue, where every character speaks in riddles. Full Review

Chris Elliot
August 30, 2003
Chris Elliot, PopMatters

Adapted from a script composed by the late Danish silent filmmaker Carl Theodor Dryer, this narrative is quiet and elegant. Full Review

Marty Mapes
May 18, 2003
Marty Mapes, Movie Habit

Medea concentrates on the human story of ambition and jealousy Full Review

Eric Henderson
May 12, 2003
Eric Henderson, Slant Magazine

Produced for Danish television in 1987, Medea is a remarkable, streamlined minimalist tone poem. Full Review

Maria Garcia
May 10, 2003
Maria Garcia, Film Journal International

Literal and simple-minded. Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson
May 2, 2003
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid

The muddy, overly-pixilated pictures begin to resonate with a punchy beauty found in very few shot-on-film movies. Full Review

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Medea Trivia

  • Why does Igby call his mother 'Mimi'? [In Igby goes Down].  Answer »
  • What film is this quote from... Before Medea sailed away on the Helios she killed king Creon and the princess, with what? A: A rock. B: Spear-gun or C: a bit of Poison.  Answer »
  • What was the first movie Medea appeared On????   Answer »
  • What does Brian act as for Medea in Diary Of A Mad Black Woman ?  Answer »
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